Valve assembly



i 8, 1952 K. B. BRITTON 2,602,627

VALVE ASSEMBLY 2 SHEETS--SHEET 1 Filed June 15, 1945 2775172401 Karl? B. Bri [ton July 8, 1952 K. B. BRITTON VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed June 13, 1945 HQ- 7 m 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 u 37 E //c I 37 {H 33 3 7 I.

/c 3/ 11 a "4] I EYI EHZ UF Karl E B r51 Z072 Patented July 8, 1952 Karl B. Britten, Brzttemthl, Ohio, assignor to Inc;- (ilevelandfi-flhio; 'a,"

" Thom son -'Prod'u'cts,

:1 Thi i vention rre Q fl id li wvcni qi veli e iher in h f ect 01. 1 i IQSSH Q 6 .19 mevab i el e"mem r h eqfi ba ans edfio oreasethe forces required to move thejvalv Mere g c l m, h nv ni qn eals-w t avin b lan n .iiiaph egmfii an ed 'me' ntein val e-oper t n o qu l ei ie i'am nimilmi- -1 .n.; e ;Q i';r ce;Withthis iyeri ipn at fluid. flow. e ti l mwb i r-z ltfii u oimted n mat n for"m'ovem'ent toward and taivay fr'gxjnjaj seelt' mr ne esm ndj na Q 11 .9 1. v ee die i h i. 9 o a mh e h tflui ri es, e st,- he'reQni ei e a 't el y ,iqeiini iel heir effect f he fl i ms li i jthfi ences out" the meinvenii th .ldi bhr mj di phie i ii re ireiif e'd sl l un e anc i ecbn olim mber'or valve sothet the pressure holding the valve closed increelses slightly ej s the fluid pres sure increases, 'therebyj utilizing :increasedjfluid pressure for; sealing the more difilcultly sealed highpr'essure fluid. another forrn of'the' in vent'io'n the fluid pressure effect on the flow eonti'ol member or'valve'is completelv b 'l'engfd 'out';

This "invention also provides s'priiigs ifessed control members or valves wherein the force re guiredto open the'valveiagainst anyohe selected fluiiifpressure isthe same at the'jb'e'ginnin land eiidbfthetravel of the control member on-valve even though thesprin'g pressureorload on the control member of valve increases as the spring "A feature of this invention is to reduce the pressure "drop through fluid flovv' control valves by the mimmizi'ng the harige of "direotidn through the valve.

hnother feeiture oi-this inventionis to provide a. fluid flow control 'valvehaving a low pressure drop effect on fluid flowingtherethrou'gh' together with coaxial-inlet andoutletportspermitting'installetion of the valve in a pipe "linewithou't creating an 'ofisetin the pipe line. A still "further feature of this; invention; isthe .provision of e an iofi-lcentered cam forpmanuelly .This icamjiserrangedso operating the valve. that. Le spring-pressed valve is automatically locked in open.position since the .springtheri tends to rotatethe cam ina. .direction'sueh that step. a tinsp the team p e en urt er, 1.0- itatl li i v noiherticaiurevnih nye i lqii i h e-m9.- NisimL-oten, le i i elliao ereiesl alve, wherein l' wk u r nt i .l e l ildinet inie ian ement iqell t nl -u edrt h e erqsi- V sage throughjthe valve t enl'ein object of this inv ention to pro an-oed es' to clefcreese the for erate theivalve a' id theiehyfm I fthe "invention is to provide spripgfpressed E fluid fiovv dontrblivalvie's forge required to 'e e -trife vaive agaifist anytne selected fluid pressurefisithe same at the beginningend end "or the" traveler thevalve' even thoughithe spring lo' id en"; the

velvech'ang'es'f i "Another-{object of the invention is to provide i belafneed'fluidfiow'control valves accom odating- Another-object of the invention is to provide a valvehevin'g' {coaxial iniet and'outlt ports and only a fminimum pfres "e ms effect on ,flui d flovvihgtherethroughf a As'till further ob fat of theinvention is to provide" an *el'eetricaliy operateglfvalvelwherein 1e1ec"-' trie energy is utilized only in changing positions :u Y 4" Z still further object of the invention is to provide a solenoid-driven valve which, :isautometically lo'ekei'lin open l position and held in elosedposition' by spring" pressure, and 'vvher'ein the solenoids are energized only 'when changing the pO'i'tiDhS 6f the"va1ve?""""" autgineucaiis fiocksthvelve'i'rfoperi ipes tiqn in elevation, taken along the broken line IV-IV' of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the valve il lustrated in Figure 3, showing one position of the diaphragm.

Figure 6 is a view similar toFigure 5 illustrating another position of the diaphragm.

Figure 7 is an axial cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, illustrating a double diaphragm valve i according to this invention equipped with actuating solenoids and showing a wiring diagramfor the solenoids.

As' shown on the drawings: The valve I of Figures 1 to 6, as best shown in Figure 3, is composed of a casing I I having coaxial ports I2 and I3 on opposite sides thereof joined by a substantially straight fluid flow path I 4. A valve seat I is provided inthe fluid flow path I4 about midway between the ports I2 and I3. This valve seat is arranged at about a 45 angle relative to the flowpath I4. The valve seat I5 is illustrated as being formed of a rubber 0 ring, butitshould-be understood that any suitable seat can be used, including a metal seat or a-composition seat. The O ring forming the seat I5 is aflixed to the casing wall in a groove I6.

An enlarged chamber I7 is provided by the casing II in the fluid flowpath I4 on the upper side of the valve seat I5. This chamber receives the closure head I5 a of a-slidably mounted valve I8. Theqvalve I 58 has a bottom stem I817 projecting through the seat-I5 and through the casing wall into a cam chamber I9 defined by a portion IIa of the casing adjacent the inlet port I2. This casing portion IIa, as best shown in Figure 4, has a well 29 in-one end face thereof forming a bearing for one-endof a cam shaft 2|. The casing portion Ila is closed by a cover 22, secured by means of cap screws 23, which are threaded into ears or lugs29 on thecasing portion IIa; The cover has a boss iportion providing a bearing 24 for the other end of the cam shaft 2I. The cam shaft -2I projects'through the cover and an operatinglever 25 is secured to the projectingportion as by means of a pin 26.

A cam 2Tis provided in the chamber I9 and is pinned to the shaft by means of a pin' 28' for co-movement with the shaft. The cam 21 has an arouate cam portion 21a with a center spaced 1 from the axis of the shaft so that, when the cam is rotated to a position for unseating the valve head I8a, as shown in Figure 3,-the valve will tend to further rotate the cam in the same, or clockwise direction. However, the operating lever 25 has a stop 25a on the endthereotwhich will engage the casing v I Ia to prevent further clockwise rotation of the cam. The-valve is thus locked in open position andcan only be closed when the lever 25 ismovedinacounterclock wise direetion'to'swing the cam portion '2 Ia on from under the end of the valve stem lab. a The valve I8 has an upper stem I80 projecting from the head IBaL .A collar I8d is formed on this stem I80. The collar is fitted intoja piston 30 which is slidably mounted in a cylindrical por- 33 between the washers 32 and 35.

4 tion III) of the casing II. This piston has the skirt portion 30a thereof slidably engaging the cylindrical wall I lb of the casing and has a head 35b snugly surrounding the stem I80. The head 3% can be press-fitted or threaded onto the stem I 8.0 and a washer 3| overlies the head 30b of the piston.

' The casing II has an enlarged cylindrical portion IIc'above the cylindrical portion III). A shoulder IIcZ is formed in the casing at the top of thecylindrieal portion IIb and a washer 32 is seated on this shoulder I Id.

A flexible diaphragm 33 composed of limp sheet-likematerial, such as sheet rubber, nonporous impregnated fabric, leather, plastic or the like, overlies the washers 3| and 32.

' Awasher 34 snugly engaging the stem I80 of the valve overlies the central portion of the diaphragm 33 above the washer 3I. A washer 35 overlies the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 33 abovefthe" washer 32. Thewasher 35 hasa smaller inside diameter than the washer 32' but the washers 3| and 34 have substantially the same outer diameter.

Because of this arrangement, the diaphragm 33 has .a smaller effective area or equivalent piston when it is in bowed up position against the washer 35, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, than it has when it is bowed down away from the washer 35 as-shown in Figure 6 for a purpose to be hereinaftermore fullydescribed. I I

A nut 31 is secured, 'by threads, press-flt'or the like, onto the stem I8c'above the washer 34, to clamp the central portion of the diaphragms between the washers 3 I- and 34.

A ring 38 is threaded into the portion 0 of the casing to act on the washer 35 for clamping the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm A cover 39 is provided for the casing portion lie and is secured thereto by means of cap screws 45 or thezlike. This cover 39 has a centralboss portion 39a providing a well for receiving a coil spring M. The coil spring has one end coil bottomed in the well and site end coil bottomed on the nut 31.

The bottom faceof the diaphragm 33 is ex posed to the pressure existing in the chamber I! has the oppoof the valve since the collar 18d and the head 56b of the piston have spectively. I

A passageway 44 is formed through the valve stem I30 and. extends down through the head I811 of'the'valve. Branch passages 44a connect this passageway 44 with-the lower part ofthe valve casing even when the valve is in closed position. The passages 44a. and t4 thus connect the bottom side of the flow path I4 with the well defined by the boss 39a of the cover 39 and this well is in full communication with the upper face of the'diaphragm 33. Y

Thus the bottornface of the diaphragm 33 is'always vented .to pressure existing in the casvent holes 42- and 43 reing II on the upper side of thevalve seat I5 fmake while the top face of the diaphragm is always subjected to pressure existing in the casing I I on the lower side of the valve seat I5.

As shown in Figure 2, pipes P and P when connected to the ports I2 and-I3 of the valve Ill of this invention arein coaxial alignmentI The valveIS in the casing II and the valve seat I5 then lie at an angle of about 45 relative to these pipes Since the flow path I 4 is coaxial with the pipesP 'and Pf, and since the fluid must only slight angular changes of direction inflowabove if; this effective ing-through the seat and around the valve head instead of; the conventional right angular changes of direction-fina globe or-poppet-- valve,

the fiuid flowthrough-the 'valve is. substantially unimpeded and only a ver -low-pressure-drop will beencountered. Turbulence ofthe fluid is likewise maintainedat a-minimum; l

'As' shown in Figure 4; thechamber te is sealed 1 against-leakage by -a gasket 45 interpos'ed'between-the -casingportion-"l la;---ar1dthe-;cover 22; while leakagethrough. the boss portiori-yof coveralong cam shaft 2| is -prevented by a rubber'Q ri-n'g 46in a retainer; 41 *thatis spring- 1 pressedby a -spring-=48 against thecever-in 'sriug relation with'the cam shaft 2 l tion against-the washer 35 and the equivalent piston oreifective area of the diaphragm-isdecreased by the amount that the washer '35- p-roj'feets b'eyondfthe'washer 3L a -"On the other hand, when-the pressure on the upper face. .of 'the diaphragm S S-is'greater than the pressure on the lower face,- as shown in Figure 6; the diaphragm will bow downwardly away from the washer 35' and the effective area or f equivalent piston of; the diaphragm is in c te-Sad by. the uncovered area o'f the washer 35.. fIf'the port 12 is an inlet port, and thus on the pressure side of the valve,:the jfluidpressure in this side of the valve tends to unseat the valve head-18a, with a force equal to the pressure drop on opposite sidesof the valve seal [5 multiplied by thearea of thevalve head exposed topr'essur'e, However, this same pressure alsoiacts on thediaphragm 33 but in an oppositejdirection, tending to 'seat 'the I valve;

head 18a on the seat 15.

'OnLthe otherhand, if the port} i3 is an inlet port, an dthus on the pressure side of the valve, theifiuid pressure in {this side tends to seat the valve head ISaagainst-the seat lfiwith alforce equal to the;- pressure} drop; on opposite sides of the-seat multiplied by thearea of the valve head exposed Ito pressure; However, the same pres-' sure acts on the diaphragm'33 but in an opposite direction, tendingto unseat the valvehead "la. 1 If the-effective area or equivalent piston of the. diaphragmss is equal to the effective area of the valve head [8a, exposedto fluidpressure when thef'valve is seated, the efiect .of fluid pressure on the valve can be completely balanced. out; sinceathe same iorceacts on the valveinoppositeQdi-reetions. Complete balancing out of the fluid pressure ei ect-on the-valve is accomplished by; so-proportioning the washers that the area (lithe-equivalent piston of the diaphragm becomesfthefsame as the area of the valve head. exposed to the fluid pressure.v Inthis-casethe' inner washers 3 I and 3.4 :can havethe. same outer dian eterwhile the outer washers 33and .35 have th same;-inner diarneter. Withfsuch a change; th efteetive areaiof the diaphragm-taisthe same rre pet ve f w h r. it in upw rb eid, or downwardly bowed position and,-as. explained v area is the' sameasjthe the valve. head then fluid presfieetivea ea m sure on the valve willhave no efiect ein' tending to. ;mov e. the valve head. The valve is thenhheld' closed s'olely the loadf the; spring 4 l Since; as illustrated, the washers has a-srnall mns dadiameter han he we heire s a li ht desired unbalance for the valve is obtained so Fthe,

that =theapressureholding thevalvegin closed post-7,. tionincreases slightly, as the flllid-QPEESSUEBlifi" In such constructions the total: pres; sure holding theivalve closed comes irizpart Efrem;

creases.-

the, spring 4 I and inpart from. the'sfiuidpre'ssure; This arrangement -is desirable tsinoe aim-1 fluid :pressures :will 111013 cause; the :valve-- to leak and yet valve: operating torque will-vibe creased maintained at a minimum.

-i'I-hus, if the port "l2 sure drop across the is an lnletiportgethe pres shown in" Figure; '6; thereby creating an efiec.-'-

across the seat the valve head against forcebows Y I Figure 3 5 and decreases the effectivearea orequi-valent piston of the diaphragm 33'; thereby:

its seat, but th'is sam'e cancelling out some of the effect of this idi ctending to unseat the valve. The valve will thus remain-closed with a-iorce exerted by -the;spring H -plus a controlled force fromthe; fluidpres-- sure obtained by having the eifective area ot the valve head exposed to fiuid-pressuregreater than the effective area of the-upwardly bowed diaphragm; In both'instances; of--co urs'e; when the valve isopened, no appreciable pressure drop exists between the "inlet andoutlet{sldespjf' thej valve, and both faces of *the diaphragmare -ex posedfto the same-pressure to eliminate any valve-shifting capacity of -the diaphragrn Ii desired; the arrangementcan besuch that,

for 'any' one '-selected 'fiuid pressure drop across;

the valve seat, the force--requiredto openthe valve will-'be the same atthe 'beg inningi -and at the end of "the travel-0f thevaglve even though the spring load" on the valve increases as tlie sp in s j m e head is subjected to a pressure of30 lbs. per square inch tending to unseat the valve, and iflt h'e ex pandedspring' '4] exerts a loadof 3*lbsi oh the valve when v it is closed but "exerts a load bfFGflhs on the valve (when it'is compressed and the valve is opened, the eifective area' or equivalent piston oiithe diaphragm canbe regulated so that-fluid pressure will exert a elosing forcecf'Blbscnthe valve when it is seated and thereby addin to the 3 lbs. springload tomake a total'forcel, lbsih'olding the-valve closed. W

1.In Figure? there is illustrated r a wee sphragm equipped and solenoidoperated. valve Illa. 'In this figure, parts identical-withflor slihstantially identical with, parts desoribeddn coir-f.

1 neetion with Figures '1 to fiyhave been marked with the samereference numerals. g

'It should be understood'that-the valve oiiFigures 1 to 6 can'be solenoid-operated;like'thevalve oi-Figure Land that the valveof Figure-'7 can bet manually operated, like-thevalve of l igures 1. o 6.

In the valve .l M the ring sit-for the diaphragm carries a casing 38 a for a solenoid-coil=5-0i This coil 50 surrounds a core 5'l whieh receives thecoilspringM therein'and is threadedonto the stem l of the valve l 8. The spring'iH acts through thecore 5| to urge the valve "head [8a against thevalveseatjlE. 1" 'Ifhelower face o t-the diaphla rrz49 1s veed to the chamber H in the valvel'ca'si-ng H the valve 1 l); "but the 'top face of the "diaphragn'ivalve seat :l 5 aproduees'ra'. force bowingthe-diaphrasm- '33 downwardly la s:

the diaphragm upwardlym's -shown i xam t e va ve 49-.is vented notto. the flow path 14 but to the atmosphere through the ports 382). The valve;

m'emberialsofthe valve construction Illa does not have a. passageway through the. stem lBc. In the valveassembly lilaa lower diaphragm 52=is:.provided in addition'to the top diaphragm 49.... This lower diaphragm ,52 has the central portion thereof fixed for co-movement with the valve stem I81) and has the peripheral portion thereofsealingly clamped to the valve casing.

'Ihe.stem l8b of the valve is is slidablethrough the lower. part of the casing into a chamber portionN53, provlded'by the casing. An extension member 54 is threaded onto the lowerend of the stem, 18b, A cap 155 isthreaded into the casing to; coverthe bottom of the chamber '53 and to clamp the diaphragm 52in place. This cap 55 118 81.13 central aperture 55a freely receiving the member -,5,4.-and vent holes 55b for venting the I The casing has a shoulder. 53b around the chamber 53 which receives a washer 55 thereagainst. This washer 58has an inside diameter sized tocooperatewith the washer 55 for controlling the eifectivearea or equivalent piston of the diaphragm 52 in upwardly bowed position. A Washer 59 underlies the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm 52 and is actedon by the cap 55 tocooperate with thewasher 58 for sealingly clamping the outer.peripheralportion of the;.-diaphr-agm 52 relativetothe casingfl The washer- 5 9 has an inside diameter sized to cooperate'with the washer 51 for determining the effectiv area or'equivalent piston of the diaphragm 52 when the diaphragm is in downwardly bowed position. 7

'I'he,diaphragm BE-Separatesthe chamber 53 into upper and lower compartments.- The upper. compartment is vented to the flow path vM by means of a port 65in the casingwall. The lower portion of the chamber. 53 isvented to the atmosphere through the vent holes 55b. Thus the upper face of the diaphragm is .exposedto press s'ure'in the valve casing on the port side [2 while the lower face of the. diaphragm is exposed to atmosphericpressure. ,j Ifhe top' diaphragm as has central washersifi and?! identical with the washersifiland 57 for the lower diaphragm .52 'andalso has peripheral washers 58 and 59 identical with the washers. 58 and 59 for the lower diaphragm. The. bottom face of the top diaphragm @9 is thus vented to the'interior of the valve casing on theport side 13. thereof while the top face of the diaphragm is'ven ted to the atmosphere through the vent holes 38?). I h In the arrangement of. Figure 7, the valve-is balanced; for flow of fluid ineither. direction through the flow path M. Thus when the port l2 becomes an inletport, pressure acting on the seated valve head 18a tends to raise the valve off of: itsseat, but this same pressure also acts on the top face of the bottom diaphragm 52 to completely or partially neutralize the effect} of the fiui dpressureunseating the valve. If the port [3 becomes; an'inlet port-pressure on the valve head I 8a.: tends" to -seat the V valve; more tightly againet';

thejseat [5,;but thissame pressure also acts on the bottom face of the diaphragm 49 to either completely or partially neutralize the valve-seat: ing effect of the pressure. .7 a

The washers controlling the effective areas or equivalent pistons for the diaphragm 49 and 52 can be arranged relative to the effective area ofthe valve head lila'for completely balancing out the valve-moving eilect of fluid pressure onthe valve head 8a, or for partially balancing out this efiect, As explained above-in connection with Figure 3, the diaphragm washers can also be sized relative to the valve head I801. to provide an arrangement which will maintain a controlled load on the valve in the closedposition The extension member, on the lower valve stem l8b dependsbeneath the bottomof the valve casing II and cap 55, andhas'a hollowground or arcuate conical pointed ..bottom end 54a thereon,

A bracket BI is mounted on the lower end. of

the casing H. This bracket carries a solenoid 62 witha coil83 and a core 64. Aspring65 acts on thecore tourge it outwardlyfin a direction toward the pointed end 5411. of the member 54.

The bracket 6| supports a rock shaft 66 on which is keyed a lever 61. This lever 61 is pivoted to an extension 68 of the solenoid core 6 1. Apin 69 connects the leverand extension. This lever 61 hasv an arcuate face 61a struck from a radius centered ,on the shaft 66.. The radius .of the point 54ai's struck from the same center. An abutment 67b is provided on the end.

of. the lever 61 to act on the side wall of the extension member. and prevents the lever from swinging completelyunder the point 54b.

An arm 10 is also secured to the shait,,66. This arm extends forwardly from the shaft and carries, at its outer end, an upright pin or rod, H, the end portions of which are. adapted to engage spring contact arms 12 and 13. The arm 72 carries a contact button 12a. The arm'13 carries a contact button 13a. The arm, 12.15 secured on a base member 14 whil the .arm 13 is secured on a base member 15. Contact buttons 16 and 11 respectively coact with the buttons 72a and 13a of the contact arms 12' and 73. e V v p 7 As shownat the upper portion of Figure 7, a batteryB energizes a double-pole switch S having a first pole P connected through a wire W1 with the solenoid coil 50. The other end of the coil is connected through a wire W2 with the contact button 1 7. V

The second pole P of the double-pole switch is connected through a wire W3 with the'coil63 of the solenoid 62. The other end of this coil 63 is connected through a wire ,Wi with the contact button 76. A wire W5 connects both base members 14 and 15 for the contact arms J2 and 13 with the ground.

When the'switch S is in the position sho'v'vn'in Figure '7, and the valve [8' is closed, the battery B energizes the coil 50 to draw the solenoid core 5] into the coil against the pressure'of the spring M.- This action pullsvthe valve l8 to its open position as shown. Current flows from the coil,

point 11. Therefore the. circuit is opened and the. coil 50 is. immediately. ole-energized.

When it is desired to close thevalve, the-switch S is thrown to engage the pole P andthe battery B energizes the-solenoid 6'2 through the wire W3 for; drawing the core 64 into the coil 63 against thelpressureof, the, spring 65;; This rocks the lever; filandjrotates the shaftfifi'. The lever-.61 s pu led out from. under. the-pointed end. a of the member. and. he. spring: M pushes the valve [8 to, its closed position; The rocking-pf the. shaft. 66; witnthe a m -63. h verl, reeks thegarm Hlto movethe rod? against the-contact arm 12 thereby separatin ,the-contact pointrlla from the point 15 and opening the circuit to immediately-de-energize thecoilfi Thissolenoid arrangement thus only consumes current during the actual shifting of the valve since, as soon as the valve reaches either its open position or its closed position, the very movement of the valve to such positions de-energizes the solenoid coils. The valve is automatically locked into open position when it is moved to open position. The lock is automatically opened whenever it is desired to close the valve.

From the above descriptions it should be understood that this invenion provides valves having a substantially straight-line fluid flow path therethrough, a very low pressure drop, balancing diaphragms to partially or completely neutralize the effect of fluid pressure tending to shift the fluid flow control member or valve, and manually actuated or electrically driven devices which automatically shift the valves and lock the valves inopen positions. In the electrically-operated valves of this invenion, current is consumed only when the valve is being shifted since, as soon as the valve reaches its shifted position, it automatically breaks the energizing circuit.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied'through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluid flow control device comprising a casing having interchangeable inlet and outlet ports with a fluid flow path therebetween, a valve seat in said path, a valve slidably mounted in said casing and having a head coacting with said seat to seal the flow path, a diaphragm having a peripheral portion sealingly secured in the casing, a central portion sealingly secured to the valve for co-movement therewith, and an effective flexible portion between the peripheral and central portions with opposite faces respectively exposed to the flow path on opposite sides of said seat, said flexible portion being arranged to bow in opposite directions in response to pressure conditions on opposite sides of said seat, said valve head when seated on said seat having a first effective area acted on by fluid pressure when one port is an inlet port to urge the valve head away from the seat and a second effective area acted on by fluid pressure when the other port is an inlet port to urge the valve head against the seat, means regulating the effective area of the diaphragm in one bowed position to an area greater than the first effective area of the valve head for urging the valve head toward the seat, and means regulating diaphragm in the opposed bowed position to an area less than the second effective area of the first face of the valve the effective area ofthe casing havin n headihavin zafir t fa eexpos d.tozinletpressure;

for unseating the, valve, when, one port; is; an;

' inlet port and. an opposed-second face; exposed;

to inlet pressure for seating"thevalyewherrtheg other port-Sis an inlietjport,v a diaphragm sealingly connecting the valve and casing having a first face exposed to the same pressure as the head for urging the valve toward the seat and a second face exposed to the same pressure as the second face of the valve head for urging the valve away from theseat, means controlling the effective area of the first diaphragm face to an area greater than the effective area of the first valve head face, and means controlling the effective area of the second diaphragm face to an area less than the effective area of the second valve head face whereby a first predetermined effective area for seating the valve is obtained for inlet pressure when one port is the inlet port and a second predetermined effective area for seating the valve is obtained for inlet pressure when the other port is the inlet port.

3. A valve comprising a casing having inlet and outlet ports, a valve seat in said casing between said inlet and outlet ports, a reciprocal valve coacting with said seat, a spring biasing said valve toward said seat, diaphragm means having one face exposed to inlet pressure for assisting the spring in closing the valve and having the other face exposed to outlet pressure for resisting the spring to urge the valve to open position, and said diaphragm means including structure making the effective area of said one face a predetermined amount less than the efg fective area of said other face so that the effective total bias on the valve for a given inlet pressure is the same at the beginning and end of travel of the valve even though the actual spring load changes, thereby compensating for a change in spring load resulting from such travel.

d. A valve comprising a casing having interchangeable inlet and outlet ports separated by a valve seat, a valve in said casing coacting with said seat, said valve when seated on said seat having a first effective area acted on by fluid pressure when one port is the inlet port to urge the valve away from said seat and a second effective area acted on by fluid pressure when the other port is the inlet port to urge the valve against said seat, a spring biasing said valve to closed position and becoming increasingly loaded as the valve moves toward open position, diaphragm means sealingly affixed to the casing and valve and having opposite faces exposed to said ports on opposite sides of said seat, means regulating the effective area of the diaphragm to an area greater than the first effective area of the valve when inlet pressure acts in a direction to move the valve away from its seat, means regulating the effective area of the diaphragm 1 1 to an area less than the second eflective area of the valve when inlet pressure acts in a direction to move the valve toward its seat, fluid pressure on the high pressure side of the seat thereby acting upon a first'regulated predetermined effective area when one port isthe inlet port and acting upon a second regulated predetermined efiective area when the other port is the inlet port to create a controlled seating force on the valve irrespective of which side of the seat is the high pressure side, and whereby increasing valve closing forces caused by increased loading of the spring as the valve is opened will beoffset when the valve is opened by exposure of both sides of the valve and the diaphragm means to substantially the same pressures on opposite sides of the valve seat for cancelling said controlled seating force.

' KARL B. BRI'ITON.

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